Differential gearing and reversing mechanism therefor.



D. E. RUSS. DIFFERENTIAL GEARING AND REVERSING MECHANISM THEREFOR,

APPLICATION FILED APE.13. 1906.

Patented Aug. 3, 3909.

3 SHE JM. I? l a/Q. gm 4% Arron/VHS.

E. Ross. DIFFERENTIAL GEARING AND REVERSING MECHANSM TH EREFOR.

^ APPLATION FILED APR. 13, 3.906.

l/l//T/VESSES.'

D. E. RGSS.

DIFFERENTIAL GEARING AND RBVERSING MEGHANISM THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1906.

929,884., Patented Aug. 3, 1999.

UNirnn srnrns PATENT orrion.

vDevin Ross, or BRooKsroN, INDIANA, AssrG'N-o'n To Ross GEAR AND TooL COMPANY,

O'F LA FAYEITE, INDIANA, ACORPORAT'IN OF INDIANA.

nrFFnnENrIAL GEA-RING Arm REVERSING MEoHANIsM-Timnmo'n.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rae-sneed Ang. fs; '1909.

Application med April 13,1906. serial No. auen.

and State of- Indiana, have invented a certainmew and useful improvement in Differential Gearing and Reversing Mechanism Thereor, lof which the following is a full,

clear, and exact description', reference being had to the accompanying 'drawings,

This' invention relates to diEerenti-al gearing for self-propelled vehicles, and it has forv Aits objects the simplification of such gearing, and the easy and ready removal land assembling of said sary to nia-ke repairs.`

, Fur-ther objects of the invention are' the provision lof means for reversing 'the direction of the rotation of the laxle sections, 'and for rendering all of the wearing partsof the mechanism adjustablesothat the bearings- .rnayl be tightened and kept in proper. condition.

. Various -othe'r features of the invention Awill be hereinafter described and particu'- larly pointed out vin the claims.

In 'the drawings accompanying this application, Fi'giire Lisa pla-n view, partly 1n sec tion and part-ly in elevation of the diieren tia-1 gearing and .the reversingV mechanism, said vView also sliowingportions of fthe-axle sections, and the construction whereby the said sections and gearing may be readily removed and adj-usted; 2 lis a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and showing the means' for securing theproper adjust' nient of the/driven ygea r s vvith respect to the driving pinions; Fig..3 is a section taken on the broken line'3 '3 of Fig. l, certain of the parts ofthe casi-ng being broken away in order to more ciearly `'illustrate the reversing Y mechanism; [F ig. Lisa .view showing 'the connections between the mechanism, shown' in Fig. 3 yand the dr'ing motor, and alsoA showing the means for: operating the revers-f ing mechanism,- parts of saidviewbeing in section 'andparts 1n elevati-on; Fig. -5 is a detail view in perspective' of the. `ineens-1forholdin-g the driven 4elarson the axle-sections. -in proper position; through'the-lnib .of one of the wheelsf'o the 1Vl'1icle,jsl1owingthe 'construction of the' g. 6 is a sectional-view lineari-ng,` and-'also -the means 4for 'driving-the' deiewfation of the structure shown'in Fim gearing when it is neces- 'is a' thirdopen-ing and l6, 'andai similar extension projects rear- .Wai-diy fromthe central 'part'ofv said cast- 6 with the cap plate vnti-the .end ofthe hub removed.

' In the 'construction'1 operation'anderepair of `automobiles, considerable 'difficulty 'has lbeen-erqxaifienc'ef1 in securing a construction -Which permits of the .ready accessibilityand removal of lthe parts of the diiferentia gear? ing. .In the following specification and in the accompanymg' drawings".I disclose form of :construction inl :which the entire 'Set of driving gears mayl be bodily removed from the -inaclrinel with'very little dioultly the proper ad'ustinent to allo .the bearings Referring now `more drawings, in which simi' ar'reelenoe 'cherev meters designate like parts .throughout the several views, I ,and'Q represent the axle sec tions, or the revolnble driven members, wliicii are placed end to end, and :which are properly j'ourna-led fat *their inner-:ends Within the cas-ing for the dill'ferentialgearingand are properly supported injtheirouterend's .by the -hluh o-tlie lvehicle wheel. 'The-casing vconsists of'the lower maincastin said casin@ beine' :providedwi-th oppos openi-n" s to? the iixle sections, hereinafter .describe and the tubular shells 3' --alned with the openings and having 'their axes substanf v't'ialiycoincident with the axes of said openings. Upon the said Amai-n lcasting' fof the casi-ng I mount ja Icap plate 4, said ca'p plate "beingseciired vposition bybolts 5 which pass therethrough andare tapped into the.

lower ycastin ,asshow-n'in'Fig. 3. Project` ing forward y from the central part of the Toasting)` substantial-ly'fmidway between the sid'opposed openings and tubular shells 3 a tubular Vextension ing. These tubular' extensions are bored so Aas; to form bearings for eccentric journal boxes 8 and 9, as hereinafter more fully described. l A. .The inner4 ends of the axle sections are "square, as shown at 1f@ in Figs. l" and 3,v and upon the squared portions 'of these axie sectioi'is"are mounted bevel driven gears "lil 'and 12, said gears being hollowed or concaved on theiradjacent facesfso as-to form aspace for the accommodation of the compensating or equalizing gearing through which motion is` transmitted lto the bevel Gears. D v

Extending through the casing between the bevel gears and substantially in the vsame horizontal plane' therewith is a'section1'3 of the driving shaft, or revoluble driving member, said 4drivin-g member being journaled'at its rear end in the journal box 9' vand its forward end inthe journal box 8.y

-Loosely Vmounted upon this section of the 18, which sleeve atits vrearward end swells outwardly into an annular ring 19, said' ring being provided near its rear-ward rim with' internal gear teeth so as to form an internal gear at 20. Just at the rear of the sleeve 18, and within the rin 19 of the pinion 15 the shaft 13 is provide with a squared portion, as is vshown at 21, and mounted upon said squared portion and turning therewith yis a s ider or frame 22, ,said spider being provi ed with a square opening so as to fit the squared portion of the shaft-'thereinl'i Carried by the said spider,'and meshing with the spur gear 17 and with the annular A vgear 20 are planetary gears 23, said gears .Y being secured to the spider by means of bolts 24, said bolts forming journal pins for` the planetary gearsthe latter gears ,being held on the bolts by means ofnuts, as shown. From this description it v'will be seen that, when thedriving shaft section 13 is turned, the spider4 will likewise be turned, and, through the engagement ofthe planetary 4gears thereon with the sai'd spur and annular` gears 17 and 20 respectively, thebevel pinions 14 and 15 will be turned, said bevel in'ions transmitting their motiontothe evel' gears-11 and 12 to .turn the axlel secis necessary in turning corners.

In' orderto secure the yforward 'journal box 8 within the tubular extension 6 of the, Y main casting, I provide the same at its'rear lend with a shoulder4 25, which bears-againstaicorresponding shoulder 26 on vsaid tubular' extension; and on the forward end of the journal box I attach, by means of set' screws v27, a-ring 28, saidring 'bearing against the lforward .end ofsaid tubular extension. .Thisconstruction prevents the. laterallinoivement The These connections not only serve tol drive the axle sections, but they permit of Y said sectionsbeing differentially 'driver-1, as

of the journal box within said extension, unless the said ring 28 has been previously removed. At the same time, the journal box may be rotated within the bored part of the tubular extension. The journal box .9 is similarly held in position-within the extension -7 by forming thereon a' shoulder 29, said shoulder engaging with a similar shoulder 30, within the extension. This constructionv prevents the box from moving rear- -forward movement by securing thereto a -cap plate 31, said cap plate being heldin :position by set screws 32. The cap plate bears at its forward edge against the rear end of the tubular extension; and, in; order to prevent the entrance of dust within the the rear en of the extension 7. v

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 1, the shaft section or revoluble driving member 13 does not normally stand perpendicular with respect tothe axle sections, but is inclined from said axle sections at an angle other than a right angle for the purpose of throwing the bevel pinion 14 into mesh with the rear part of one of the gears on the axle sections, say the gear 11 and the bevel pinion into mesh with the gear'12. It will be understood that if the shaft section were turned so as to throw the pinion 14 into mesh with the gear 12 and fthe pinion 15 into mesh with vthe gear 11, the direction of rotation 4of the axle sections would be reversed. For the purpose of thus changing the position ofV the shaft section y13, the bearings for the same are'plac'ed ec# centrically in the journal boxes 8 andA 9, and said boxes are normally turned through an angle of 180 degreeswith respectto each other, and are maintained in this respective position. That is to-say, if one of the journal boxes Ais turned, the other box -will bev correspondingly turned so as .to maintain the dierence of 180-degrees between them! 9, I provide each of the same with' a spur 38 .and 34 respectively, 'said gears'being on the inner ends of the lboxes and within the cas-v ing. -vMeshing with` the gears 33, and 34 are -pinions '35 and 36 respectively, said pinions being .secured ,toashaft 37 that is journaled iii the cap 4 of the casing. By this construe-' v tion,any 'movement that'is imparted to the journal box 8 will be transmitted. to the I journal box 9.

Vfp rovided-'withl a ball head'38, from which are operated i1pon'sojas to turn the shaftl section by engaging portions'of a ball socket 4O, -the socket `accurately fitting the surface of fthe head 38?." '.Tlie socket 40* dis formed driveshaft.,4 y"'1`his 'ba ll'"and socket connecgear casing the cap extends entirely across'v forward part of the vIn order to turn the journal boxes 8 and wardly, and the 'saine is prevented from iii o` The forward end of the ysha'fts'ectionjl l project a plurality@ of pins 39. These pins '1 u'pon-v the rear-end of thesection 41of the' 5 eee, eee

tion between the shaft sections 13 and L11 permits ot' the relative movement which aiwsys takes piace between the driving motor and the gear casing. said driving motor being mounted upon the box or body ot' the vehicle. Screwed within the interior ot the journal box is a retaining cap or bi-ishing 42, said retaining cap, atter adjustment, being locked 'to the journai box 8 by means o t' a key 3, said key being held in position by the head of a set screw The forward portion' .of the cap 4Q is rounded so as to be coneentric with the ball head 38 on the shaft section 13. Surrounding the section $1 of the .drive shaft is a sleeve 15, said sieeve at its rearward end having Jforked projections 46 (see Fig. 3) that engage with pins 47 on the retaining cap L12. At its forward end the sleeve is journaled in a ring 48 that is trunnioned in bearings supported by a frame piece 49 depending from the box or body of the vehicle.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the for` Ward end of the sleeve is a bevel gear 50,A

said gear meshing with the segment 51 that is carried on the lower end of a rod or shaft said shaft being provided with a hand wheel 53 whereby the shaft may he turned.

Any other suitable 'torni ot mechanism may be employed for imparting rotation to the journal boxes. but troni the above description it will be'understood that when I the hand wheel 53 is turned, the sleeve 45 bushing is keyed to the interior of will be rotated and the retaining cap or bushing 42 will be turned thereby. As this the journal box 8, said box Will also be rotated within its bearings in the extension G of the casing, and the motion of this journal box will be transmitted through the shaft 37 to the rear journal box 9. It this rotation is suticient to turn the journal boxes through 180 degrees, the shaftvsection 13 will be moved so that the -pinions thereoirwill bethrown out of mesh with the bevel gears with which they formerly engaged and into mesh with the gears from which they were formerly disengaged, so that the direct-ion of rotation of the axle sections will be reversed. It' the hand Wheel 53 is turned so as to rotate the journal boxes through but 90 degrees, the shaft section 13 will stand substantially per pendieular to theaxle sections, and the bevel pinions 14T and 15 will be entirely out of inesh with the gears 11 and 12.

The bearings for the ends of the shaft section 13 are contained within the `journal boxes?? and 9; and as these bearings are the same at either end ot' the shaftl Will conline my description to the bearing in the journal box 9. As will be hereinafter explained, I desire to sometimes dran7 the shaft seion 13 entirely out ot the gear casing; and, tor this reason, it is desirable that the tour-nal bearings therefor be so mounted within the journalv boxesthatthey remain in position While the shaft is being removed. it the rear end ot the bevel pinion lt and surrounding the shaft section is a collar 5d, said collar being caused to rotate with the pinion by pins that project partly into the collar and partly into the pinion. This collar forms one part ot the side ball bearing, the other part ot said bearing consisting ot' a ring fifi, the Collar and ring having a .race-way for the balls. To take up end'motion. a nut 57 is screwed into tht` end ot' the box 9, said nut surrouiuling the end of the shaft section,v and having a concaved inner tace7 said tace fitting the' outer face of a. bearing member 58. This member has part of the iace\vay for the end ball bearing, the other part. of the race-Way beingwithin the end ot the collar 54. From this description it will be seen that when the 'nut 5T is screwed inwardly, the member 58 will compress the balls in the end bearing and thus .take up the wear in an endwise direction. The nuto? is looked into engagement with the box bearing 9 by means of a key 59 that is held in position by meansI ot a soi-ew GO, said screw being tapped intov the nutand its head engaging With the outer end of the key. As stated, the inner ends of the axle sections 1 and 2 are squared at 10.so as to tit into squared openings in the bevel gears 11 and 12. rthese latter gears are provided with .hub extensions 61, on 'the outer surface of which fits a bushing 62. (SeeFig. 3.) lifithin thev lateral hub extensions ofthe main casting 8 there are mounted journal boxes 68, the inner faces of which are lined with bushings 641. The rollers for the bearings roll between the bushings 62 and 64.' The gear wheels 11 and '12 are held upon their respective axle sections by means .of pins (i6 that are inserted into openings that pass through the end ot the axle seotionsand through one side of the hubs of the gear wheels, the louter ends of said pins being threaded so that they may be screwed into a tapped portion of the opening in the hub.

As shown in Fig. 5, the outer end of the hubs 61 of the bevel gears 11 and 12 are formed with angular flange projections (37, said projections extending for substantially 90 degrees about the ends of thek hubs, leaving spaces 68 therebetween. The interior of the hub sections ot the casting 3 are screwthreaded interiorly at 69, and screw-ed within the same from the interior are adjusting nuts 70. Thisv nut is shown enlarged in Fig. 2, 4from which figure itw'ill be seen that it is provided on its outer 'tace with soekets Z 1 into which is inserted a. pin 72 for turning the nut, said pin being mova le for this purpose Within a socket 73 in the casting 3. For holding the nutin airy ot' its adjusted posit-ions, it provide on the inner face ot the cap plate e' a projection 75. having a Ysind -tlie member 77 theiballs for the end bearings are contained. The member 77 is adjustable toward the member 70 for the purpose of taking up wear bymeans of set screws 78 that are tapped into the' nut 70, said set screws 7 8 pasing through-a ring 79 that bears against a member S0, said member pressing against the inner faceof-the bearing member 77. Thisv member 80 is shown in perspective in Fig. 5, from' which it will be seen that it is provided witha hub extension S1 that is adapted to extend between the angular projections 67 on the hub 61 of the gear wheels, and with angular projections 82 that are adapted to lock behind the projections 67 on said. hubs. This construction holdsl the gear wheels and the axle sections rigidly in position with respect to the gear,

it being understood, and as appearing from.

Fig. 5, that the member S also has a squared opening therethrough and tits upon the squared portion of the axle sections.

As will be seen by reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the axle sections extend outwardly into the hubs of.' the vehicle wheels, and are squared on their outer ends, as shown at 83. Fitted to this squared end of the axle sectiony is a locking member 'z3-l, vsaid member being provided with a plurality of radial arms, the outer ends of which are formed into engaging portions 85, the said outer ends ofv these arms normally engaging with locking grooves 8G, that are formed in the inner surface of the end of the hub 87 of the vehicle wheel. The member Si is held in position upon the axle sections by a cap plate 88 which screws into the outer end of thehub 87. S9 is a tubular sleeve which extends through from the gear casing outwardly about the axle section, and it is upon said sleeve that tl1e vehicle wheel is journaled.

At theinner end of the hub 87a collar 90O is brazed or otherwise secured to the sleeve,` said collar forming an abutment for the.

bearings of the vehicle wheel. ln order to prevent the entrance of dust within said bearing, a ring 91, having a dust proof washer therein, closes the annular space between the collar 90 and the inner end of -the hub. Surrounding the sleeve 89 at the outer end ofthe collar 90 is a ballbearing member said member having a race-way for the balls 94e of the side ball bearings,

said balls also traveling in a race-way in' thevouter member 95 ot' the bearing. In order to take up. any endwise movement of the hub, l employ a set of end bail bearings` are then dropped a corresponding member' 97 having the raceways yin their adjacent faces for the ballsI 98. The bearings thus described are located at the inner end of the hub, but the corresponding bearings, not necessary here to describe, are located at the outer end of the hub. Between the bearing members 97 of the end bearings, the hub 87 is constricted so as to toini annular shoulders or flanges 99 against which the members 97 engage. The outer end of the sleeve 89 is screw-threaded, and upon said screw-threaded portion nuts 100 are employedfor the purpose of taking up any endwise motion in the bearings.'

In Fig. 4, l have indicated conventionally a change of speed Adevice 101, said device connecting the section 102 of the drive shaft with the section l1 thereof. Since this d evice forms no part ofv my present invention, l do not deem it necessary to describe the same with any greater particularity-at the present time, further than to state that the' change of speed device is connected with the section 41 of the drive shaft. by means of pins 103 on the shaft section, said pins engaging with elongated slots lOlon the driven member of the change of speed device. This construction permits of the vertical movement of 'the device 101, and also permits of'the rearward movement of the shaft section 41 whereby it may 'be disengaged at its rearward end from the rear shaft section 13, as hereinafter described.

Having thus described the construction entering into my invention. l now desire to set forth the mannerin which the same is asseinbled. l rl`he part 3 of the gear casing and the vehicle wheels beine' in osition, the

bearings in the gearing casing are placed in their approximate positions. the Journal iaxes S andi) being turned 180 degrees with l respect to each otherv` and being so positioned that the shaft section 13 will extend perpeiidicularly to the axle sections. The bevel piuions 1l" and 15 and the planetary gearingare. then placed vwithin the gear casing. and

the shaft section 13 is inserted through its forward bearing and through the said'bevl gears until its rear end-becomes journaled in its rear bearings.' The shaft section 13 and the retaining cap 42 are screwed approximately into position so as to hold the shaft sections in engagement. lip to this tiiiie'it will be understood that the axle sectizins 1 and 2 have not been inserted. although the vehicle wheels are in position. These sections are now inserted from the outer end ot' the hubs until the inner ends of said sections engage with the squared opening inthe members SO, shown in Fig. 5. The bevel gears 11 and 12,

' into positionin front of the lockingprojections S2 on the said member 80. and the gear wheels are thrust outwhicli consist of a bearing member 9G and l wardly and then turned through 90 degrees so as to canse the annular4 projections-82 on .the member 80 to loch behind the angular extensions 6i on the ends or the hubs 6l of Vthe gear Wheels. W hen turned to this posion, the axle sections l and 2 may be inserted their fall distances, and then be secured by e pins 66. llfhen in this position, the axle sections themselves hold the habs and the members 80' in locked' position so lo th t'ihere. will be no endivise'play of these parts. The locking member 8a- -is then placed over the o uter end of the axle sections and made to engage with the grooves 86 in the hub of the vehicle Wheel, after which the cap plate 88 is screwed into position. The

gearing Within the casing being now in position. the capplate 4 of the casing is bolted into place, with the pinions l35 and 36 in mesh with the gears 33 and Sei on thejournal boxes, after which the. various bearings are `properly adjusted and locked. ln dismantling the machine, the reverse operation is performed, the axle sections being Withdrawn trom the hubs, and the shaft section lil being .vithdrawn from the gear casing, thereby leaving the parts free to be lifted bodily from their casings tor the purpose of repair.' ln order to remove the shattsection lil, the retaining cap f2 must first be reso moved, after which the shaft section il is drawn :forwardly out of engagement With the pins on the head of section 13.

lllhen a non-reversible axle is desired, the counter shalt 3T and the gears 35 and 36 may be dispensed with. In this case the eccentric journal boxes 8 and 9 will not be needed. and the shaft section l-l will be jonrnaleil in the extensions and T of the gear casing.

40 Various changes in the details of the c'onstruction herein4 described may be made without departing from the spirit of my'invention, and l desire it to be' understood tha't the following claims are not limited any further than is made necessary by the spec'ic terms vemployed or by the prior state of the art.

l claim: l. ln a vehicle, an axle section having tlattened portions on either end, a gear fitting one end or" said section, means for driving said gear whereby the axle section may be d riven, a locking membei1 fitting the opposite -flattened end of the axle section and engaging with the vehicle ivheehand means for normally retainingl the locking member and the said wheel in engagement.

ln a vehicle,an axle section having squared portions on either end, a gear fitting one end of said section, means for driving said gear whereby the axle section may be driven, locking member fitting the opposite squared end ot the axle section and engaging with the hub of the vehicle Wheel, and a cap for normally retaining' the lockingmember inv engagement With the hub of the wheel whereby the latter is driven with the axle section.

ln a \.'ehicle, an axle section having a llattened portion at each et its ends, a driv 7o ing gear fitting one the ends osaid axle section, means 'tor turning said gear whereby the axle `section may be driven, a-sleeve'sturoundingthe axle section, avehicle Wheeljonrnaled upon said sleeve, a locking niern- 7a ber fitted to the opposite flattened end of the axle section and engaging with the vhub oit the vehicle Wheel, Awhereby said Wheel driven with the axle section, and means for normally retaining the axle'section Within 8'0 said sleeve and in engagement Awith said gear, the construction being sach that the' said section may be moved bodily from the said sleeve and gear, whereby the gear may be removed Without disturbing the vehicle Wheel.

4. In a vehicle, a gear easing, an axle section having a squared portion at each of its ends, a driving gear within the casing and fitting one ot the ends of said axle section,v means for turning` 'said gear whereby-the axle' section may be driven, a sleeve project- Aing from the casing' and surroundingvthe axle section, a vehicle Wheel journaled upon said sleeve, a locking member fitted to the. opposite squared end of the axle section and engaging With the interior of thehu'b of the vehicle wheel, whereby said wheel is driven with the axle section, and a cap for normally retaining the axle section Withinsaid sleeve 10o and in engagement with said gear, the construction being such that the said lsection may 'be withdrawn' bodily from the said sleeve and gear, whereby the gear mayy be removed from the casing without disturbing the vehicle Wheel.

5. ln a. vehicle, a pair of axle sections,- gears having driving connections With said axle sections, a shaft passing across the faces ot' said gears, a pair of pinions on said shaft, 110 saidpinions being` on opposite sides of the axle sections, dilferentiat gearing forming driving connection between the said pinions and'shaft, and means for changing'the posi# tion of the shaft so as to bring one piniony 115 into mesh with one of the gears and forL .simultaneously throwing the otherpinion out of mesh therewith, whereby the direction"v ot motion of the axle section is reversed.

6. In a reversing mechanism, a driven member, a gear having driving connection With said member, a shaft passing across the 'face ot' said gear, a pair of pinions on said shaft. said pinions being on opposite sides'ofv the driven member, differential gearing forming driving connections betweenA the said pinions and shaft, and means vfor changing the. position of the sliaftlso as toI bring one pinioninto mesh with the said gear and for simultaneously throwing the other pinland the other pinion be brought into driving 'connection with the other gear whereby the direction of rotation of the axle sections may be reversed.

8. In a reversing mechanism, a driven member, a gear fitted to said member and v,having driving connections therewith,V a

drive shaft extending across the face of said gear,A eccentric bea-rings within which the drive vshaft yis journaled, pinions. lmounted .upon the drive shaft andv having driving connection therewith, said -pinions being on opposite sides ofthe driven member, and means for rotating the eccentric bearings, whereby one of the .pinions on the shaft may be thrown into driving connection with the said gaan-and the other pinion out of driving connection therewith, whereby the direction of rotation of the driven member is reversed.

tion normally extending 'into saidy casing, a

9. In a vehicle, 'a gear casing, an axle secgear fitted to the inner end of said axle section and Ihaving driving connections therewith', a drive shaft section extending across the face of said gear, eccentricbearingsv within the gear casing within which the drive shaft section is journaled at either end, pinions mounted upon the drive shaft sec# tion and having driving connection there-4 with, said'pinions being on opposite sides of -the axle sect-ion, and means for rotating the eccentric bearings, whereby one pinion on the shaft section may be thrown into driving vconnection with the said gear, at 'the same' time that the otherpinion is thrown into 4driving connection therewith, whereby the direction of rotation of the axle section' lis reversed'.- Y f 1,0. In "aV vehicle, a gear casing, a ,pair of axle sections normally extending into said casing, a gear fitted to the inner end of each of said axle sections and having driving connections therewith, a driye shaft section ex '6,0' tendingacross the facesof said gears, eccentric bearings within the gear casing within .which 'the drive shaft -section is, journaled at -either end, pinions mounted upon the drive shaft section and having `driv1ngconnection` therewith, vsaid pinions being on opposite sides of thev axle sections, and means for ro cease.;A

tating the eccentric bearings, whereby one of the pinions on the shaft section may be' throwninto or out of driving connection with one of the said gears, and the other pinion simultaneously thrown out of or into driving connection with lthe other gear whereby the direction of rotation 'of the axle sect-ions is reversed. Y

11. In a vehicle, vehicle wheels, a gear casing, a pair of axle sections extending into the casing, and connected with certain of the vehicle wheels, a driving gear mounted upon the inner end of each of said axle sections, said gears having driving' connection with their axle sections, a drive shaft section extending through the casing between the faces of the said gears, a pair of pinions carried by the said shaft section and having driving 'connection therewitlnand means for normally retaining the axle. sections and the drive shaft section in engagement with their rel spective gearsand'pinions, said latter means being capable of detachment so that the said a'xle sections .and the driving shaft section may be withdrawn from the gear casing and -t-he gears and pinions removed from said'casing without disturbing'the vehicle wheels.

l2. ln a. vehicle, vehicle wheels. a gear casing, a pair of axle sections extending into the casing, and having driving connection with lcertain of the vehicle wheels, a driving gear mounted upon the inner end of each of said axle sections, said. gears having driving connection with the axle sections, a drive shaft section extending through the casing he 100 tween the faces of the said gears, a pair of pinions carried by the said shaft sections. diiierential gearing connecting the pinions with the shaft section, and means for normally retaining vthe 'axle sections and the 105 drive shaft section in engagement with their respective gears and pinions, said latter' means being capable-of detachmentso that ythe said axle sections and the drive shaft section may be withdrawn from the gear casing and the gears' and pinions removed from said casing without disturbing the vehicle wheels. y l

i8. in a vehicle,.vehicl`e' wheels, a gear casing comprising a main casting and a cap l plate therefor, a pair ofaxle sections extending intc the main casting, a driving gear mounted uponth'e inner end'ofeach ot" said axle sections, said gearshaving driving connection 'witlithe' axle sections, a drive 120 shaftsection extending through the main casting between the faces ofthe said gears, apair of 'pinionsl carried by the said' shaft sections, a spider frame con'i'iected with the `sha'tt section, planetary gearing ca-ried by 125 said spider frame and' having driving connection with each of `said vpinions, and means for normally retainingthe axle'sections' and the' drive shaft section in engagement with their respective gears-and pinions,.said latter means being capable of detachment so that the said axle .sections and the drive shaft section may be withdrawn from the gear casing and the gears and pinions removed from said casing.

14. In a vehicle. vehicle wheels. a gearcasing. a pair of axle sections normally projecting into said casing'. said axle sections having tiatte'ned portions at each end thereof. driving connections between the outer ends of said axle sectionand the vehicle wheels. bevel driving gears within the Iear casing. one of said gears being' titted to the inner flattened end of each axle section.

rmeans for securing said gears to Jcheir respective axle sections. a drive 'shaft section within the gear casing' and extending across the faces of the said gears. bevelpinions mounted upon the. shaft section and having drivingr connection therewith. and means for normally retaining the shaft section within.

'jectiner into said casing. said axle sections having squared portions at each end thereof. driving' connections between the outer ends of said axle sections and the vehicle wheels. be-vel driving' gears within the `c'ear casilrcz one of said gears being fitted to the inner squared end of each axle section. means for securing' said gears to their respective axle sections. a drive shaft section within the gear casing and extending across the faces ofthe said gears. bevel pinions mounted upon the shaft section. differential gearing connecting the pinions with the shaft section. and means for normally retaining the shaft section within the gear casing and the axle sections within their gears. the construction being such that the said retaining means 'may be removed and the shaft section withdrawn from the gears whereby" said gears. driving pinions and differential gearing may be removed bodily from the geen' casing without disturbing` the. vehicle wheels.

lf3. In a vehilclel vehicle wheels. a gear casing. a pair of axleI sections normally projecting into said casing'. said axle sections having squared portions at each end thereof. driving; connections between the outer ends of said axle sections and the vehicle Wheels. bevel driving` gears within the gear casino. one of said gears being fitted to the inner squared end of each axle section, means for securing saidgears to their respective axle sections," adrive shaft section withinthe gear easing and extending across the faces of'the said gears. bevel pinions mounted upon the. shaft Asection and having' driving connection therewith. said pinions being on opposite sides of the axle sections. eccentric journal bearings for the drive shaft section. `zaid journal bearings being turned one hundred and eighty degrees apart so that when one pinion is in mesh with the rear part of one gear the other pinion will be in mesh with the other gear. means for turning` the eccentric journal bearings. and means for normally retainingl the shaft section within the c'ear 'asingz the construction beine` such that thc said retaining' means may be removed and the shaft section `withdrawn from the gear casing' and\the axle sections witlulrawn from the gears whereby said gears and driving pinions may be removed bodily from the gear casing without disturbing' the vehicle wheels.

1T. ln a vehicle. an axle section. a gear wheel mounted thereon and having' driving connection therewith. a drive shaft section passing across the face of said gear. dri ving' pinions carried by said axle section and having driving' connection therewith. said pinions being' on opposite sides of the axle section. a rear casing'. journal boxes mounted within said `rear casiniiv at the ends of the drive sha ft section. bearings for the said drive shaft section mounted eccentrieally in said journal boxes. and means for simultaneously turningv the journal boxes so as to change the position of the shaft section and thereby throw one pinion out of mesh with the drivin;l gear and the other pinion into mesh therewith. whereby the direction of rotation of the axle section is reversed.

1S. ln a vehicle. a gear casing. an section projectingt within said casing'. a gear wheel mounted on 'said axle section and havingr driving connection therewith. a drive shaftv section within the casing' and passing' across the face of said lc'ear. driving' pinions carried by said shaft section and having' driving' connection therewith. said pinions beingl on opposite. sides of the axle section. journal boxes mounted within said l(fear casing' at the ends of the drive shaft section. bearings'for the said drive shaft section mounted eccentrically in said journal boxes. gearing' connecting' said journal boxes. and means for turningt the journal boxes so as to change the position of the shaft section and thereby throw one pinion out of mesh with the driving` gear and the other pinion into mesh therewith. whereby the direction of rotation of the axle section is reversed.

19. In a vehicle. a `rear casing.' a pair of axle sections projecting within -said casing'. a gear wheel mounted on each of said sections and havin driving connection therewith, a drive shaft section passing across the face of said lgears. driving' pinions carried axle ` opposite sides of the axle sections,'joiirnal "bv said sha-ft section and having driving connection therewith, said pinious being on boxes mounted Within said gear casing at the ends of the drive shaft sections, bearings for the said drive shaft section mounted eecentrically in said journal boxes, and means for simultaneously'turning the journal boxes lso as to change the positionlfof the shaft section and thereby throw on'e pinion into mesh with one of the driving gears andthe other pinion into -inesh with the other gear.

20. ln a vehicle, a gear casing,-a pair of axle sections pi'oje'ctinginto said gear casing, bevel drivingvgears Within said casing and securedv to. the ends'of the axle sections, the adjacent faces of said gears being concaved, av shaft section mounted in vthe gear casing and extending 'between the bevel gears, driving pinions carried upon the shaft section and adapted to be brought into driving connection with' either of the said gears, differential gearing cairied by said shaft section an'd connecting the driving pinions, said differential gearing 4being Within the concavities of the bevel gears, journal boxes mounted within the gear casing, bearings for the shaft section mounted .eccentrically Within said journal boxes, and means for rotating the journal boxes so as to shift the position of the shaft section to bring the pinions thereon into and out ofmesh Withthe gears on the axle sections for reversing the rotation of the latter. 1 i

21. .ln a vehicle, Aa gear casing, a'pair of axle sections projecting in'to said 'gear cas- ;ing, bevel drlvinggears within said. casing and secured to the ends of the axle sections` a shaft section mounted iuthe gear casing and extending between thd bevel gears, driv ing pinions carried upon the shaft` section and adapted to be brought into driving con nection'vvith either ,of the said gears, .dif-` ferential gearing carried' by said'shaft sec` tion vand connecting the driving pinions,

journal boxesniounted wit-hin -the gear cas-` ing, bearings for the shaft section mounted eccentrically Within said journal boxes, gearing connecting the ournal boxes,- and means for rotating the journal boxes lso as to shift the position of the sha-ft sectionto bring the pinioiis thereon into andout of mesh VWith the gears on the axle sections for'reversing axle sections projecting into said gear casing Abevel driving gears Within said'casing an secured to the ends of the axle sections, a

shaft section mounted in the gear casing` and extending between the bevel gears, driving pinions carried upon theshaft section and adapted-to be brought into driving connection' with either ofthe said gears, planetary gearing 'carriedvby said shaft section andv connecting the drivin inions 'ournal D 7 boxes mounted Withinthe gear-casing, bea-r4-A ings for the shafty section mounted eoce'nfi trically within said journal boxes, gearin connecting the journal boxes, a cap seciir to one of the journal boxes, andineans en# 'gaging said 'cap for rotating the journal boxes so as to shiftthe position of the shaft section to bring the-pinions |thereon into' and out of nieshwith the gears on the axle sedtions 'for reversingtherotation ofthe latter.

23,'111 a vehicle, a gear casing, an axle sectionprojecting vi'nt'o the gear casing and a gear within the casing and having driving connection With the axle section, adrive shaft mounted Within the .casing and extending across the face of the gear, pinions upon .the drive shaft and having driving connection therewith, journal boxes lmounted Within the gear casing,'bearing's for ythe drive shaft eccentrically mounted in said journal boxes, one of Said journal boxes being turned throughlSO-degrees with respect to the other, a gear upon each of said gears, said pinions being rigidly connected together, whereby the rotation of one journal box will transmit its motion to the other, and means for turning one vof said journal boxes. j

24. In a vehicle, a gear casing, an axle journal boxes, pin'ionsmeshing With Said section projecting into the gear' casing and a gear Within the casingand having driving s connection with the -axle `section, a rive shaft section mounted Within the casing and extending across the face of the gear, pinions upon the drive shaft section and having driving connect-ion therewith, journal boxes mounted within the gear casing, bearin for the y drive shaft section .eccentrica-l y mounted in said-journal boxes, one of said journal boxes being turned through 180 4degrees With respect tov the-other, a gear upon each of said journal boxes, pinions meshingivit-hsaid gears', said pinons being rigidly connected together, whereby the'- rotation of one journal box Will transmit its motionicol ilo

to the other, a cap secured `to one of the.

Vjournal boxes, lpins projecting from said cap, a second shaft section having driving connection With the first shaft'section, a sleeve surrounding said-,second shaft sectionvand 'having means engaging with the pins on the said cap, and means for turning said sleeve.

",125. ln a vehicle, a gear casing, a `pair of axle sections projecting in the ,gear casing, a pair of gears Within the casing and hav-v ing driving connection with therespective' axle `sectionsa drive shaftsection mountedV Within the casing and extending-acrossthe faces of the gears, pinions upon the drive shaftjsection and having driving, connection therewith, said pinions being on lop osite sides of the axle'- sections, journal xes mounted within the' gear casing, bearin for ythe' driiie shaft eccentrically-mounted in said journal boxes, gear upon each of said journal boxes, pinions meshing with said gears` said pinions being rigidly connectedV together, and means for turning one of said journal boxes, the said boxes being turned one hundred and.7 eighty degrees apart. whereb)v when one of the pinions is in mesh with the rear part of one of the gears the other pinion will be in mesh with the front pa rt of the other gear, and when the journal boxes are turned the pinions will disengage from their respective gears and will mesh with the opposite gears so that the direction of motion of the axle sections is reversed.

QG. In a vehicle', a pair of axlesections, bevel gears on the opposite ends of'said a'xle sections, a drive shaft passing across the faces of said gears and incliiiing with respect to the planes thereof, a pair of bevel pinions carried by said shaft and having driving connections therewith, said pinions being on opposite sides of the axle. sections, the pinion on one side of said axle sections being in niesh with the gear on one section and the other pinion being in mesh with the gear on the other axle section, and means for turning the drive shaft.

2T. ln a vehicle, a pair of axle sections, bevel gears on the adjacent ends of said axle sections, a drive shaft section passing across the faces of said gears and inclining with respect to the planes thereof, a second drive shaft section, a universal connection between said drive shaft sections, a pair of bevel pinions carried by the first shaft section and having driving connection therewith, said pinions being on opposite sides of the axle sections,. the pinion on one side,

of said axle sections being in mesh with the gear on one axle section and the other pinion .being in mesh with the gear on the other axle section, and. means for driving the said second shaft section.

Q8. ln a vehicle. a gear casing, an axle section projecting into saidcasing, a driv ing gear secured to said section, a drive shaft, a pinion carried b v and having driving connection with said shaft, an'd'; means larried by said gear casing and engaging with the said gear to move the latter toward the said pinion, wherebjv the wear vbetween the gear and pinion may be taken up.

:29. ln a vehicle, a gear casing, an axle section projecting into said casing, ja driving' gear secured to said section, a. drive shaft, va pinion carried b v and having driving connection with said shaft, a threaded nut carried by said gear casing, means connecting said nut with the said gear, wherebyv the latter ma)7 be moved toward the said pinion to take up the wear between the gear t and pinion.

30. In a .vehicl-e, a gear casing, an axle section projecting into said casing, a driving gear secured to said section, a drive shaft` 4pinions carried by and having driv-' ing connection lwith said shaft, said pinions toward the 4said pinions. whereby the wear between the gear andpinioiis may be taken up, and means for changing the position of said shaft to throw either pinion into mesh with the gear for reversing the direction of rotation of the axle section.

31. ln a vehicle, a gear casing, a pair of axle sections extending into said gear casing, gears on said axle sections and having driving connection therewith, a shaft section passing acrossthe faces of said gears, pinions on said lshaft section for driving said gears, journal boxes for said shaft section, bearings for the shaft section mounted eccentricallv in the said journal boxes, a-ball head on said shaft section, a second shaft section having a cupped end fitting the ball head of the first shaft section, a pin and slot connection between the said ball head and cup, a retaining cap-secured within one of the journal boxes and fitting the exterior of saidcup, gearing connecting the journal boxes, and means for turning the said retailiing cap whereb)v the journal boxes are simultaneously turned to change the position of the first shaft section with respect to the gears. I I

In a vehicle, a gear casing, a pair of axle sections extending into said gear casing, gears on said axle sections and having driving connection therewith, Aa shaft section' passing across the faces of said gears, .pin

ions on said shaft section, differential ge ing connecting the pinions with the shaft section, journal boxes for said shaft section, bearings for the shaft section mounted eccentricallv in the said journal boxes, a ball head on said shaft section. a second shaft section having a cupped end fitting theball head of the first shaft section` a pin and slot connectionbetwcen the said ball headand cup. a retaining cap secured within one of the journal boxes and fitting the exterior of said cup, gearing connecting the journal boxes, and means for turning the said 1'e' taining cap whereby the journal boxesarc simultaneously turned to change the position of the first shaftsection with respect to the gears. i

3?. .ln a vehicle, a gear casing, apair of axle sections,extending into said gear easing. gears on said axle sections and having driving connectionl therewith, a sli-aft section passing across the; faces of sai'd gears, pinions on lsaid shaft section for driving said gears. journal boxes for said shaft section,

bearings for the shaft section mounted eccentrically in the said journal boxes, a ball head on said shaft section, a 4'second shaft' vsection having a cupped end fitting 'the ball head of the first shaft section, a pinand slot, connection between the said ball head and cup, a retaining cap secured-Within one of' the journal boxes and fitting the exterior of zasaid cup, a key for preventing rotation of .the lretaining cup within the journal box,

gearing connecting the journal boxes, pins j on said retaining cap, and a sleeve for turning 'thesaidretaining cap Wherebj'fthe jonr- ,lO- nal 'boxes are simultaneously turned to change the position of the first shaft section with respect tothe gears.

,34. In a vehicle, a gear casing, a shaft section'projecting into' said casing, a gear 1'5 having a hub extension adapted to telescope over the endv of theaxle section, an

iv end bearing for the said gear adjustably 25.l having a hub extension ada ted .to telescope over the end of the ax e section, an end bearing for the said -gear adjustably secured Within/'the casing, means for securing v the hub `of the gear to said end 'bearing 'whereby the gear will be retained in position in the casiii'g When the axle section is removed, said means requiring a rotation of the Wheel relative to the bearing before the Wheel can be removed from the casing.

'- 35' 36. In a vehicle,a gear .easinga shaft section projecting into said casiiig,l a gear- `having a h ub extension adapted to telescope over the endI of the axle sect1on, a drive 'shaft section, a-pinion driven thereby,

440 an adjusting nut Within the gear casing, an

end bearing for\the hub attached tol said nutgfand means -or 4securing the hub of the gear to said nut whereby the gear Will be' retained in position in the casing when the axle' section is reinoved,and may be moved towardthe pinion to take up Wear.

37. In a vehicle, a gear casing, an axle section projecting iii'to said4 casinga gear having an extended hub adapten to telescope over the end of said axle section, said hub being provided with angular locking nienibers oIi the end thereof, an adjusting nut Within the gear casing, Aand a locking" device secured to said nut and having locking members adapted to engage the locking ineniberson the end of the hub, ivhereby the gear Wheel is retained in the casing after the axle sect-ion is4 removed therefrom.

38. In vehicle, a gear casing, an'axle section projecting into said casing, agear having an extended hub adapted to telescope over'the end-of said axle section, said hub being provided with angular'locking members on the end thereof,v an adjusting nut Within the gear casing, a locking device secured to said nut and having locking inembers adapted to engage the locking members on the end of the hub, Wherebj7 the gear Wheel is retained in the casing after the axle section is removed therefrom, and end bearings for the hub secured between the said'locking device and nut. y j

39: In a vehicle, a .gear casing, an axle section projecting into said casing, a gear" having an extended hub adapted to telescope over the end of said axle section, said hub being provided with angular locking members on the end thereof, yan adjusting nut Within the gear casing, a locking device secured to said nut and having ylocking mem- 'bers adapted to engage the locking members on the end of the hub, whereby the gear Wheel is retained in the casing after the axle section is removed therefroimend bearings for the hub between the said locking members and nut, and' means for a'djusting'tlie said lockingi, memberwith respect to said nut to take up Wearlin the end bearings.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix .my

signature in the presence of two Witnesses. 90

. DAVID E. ROSS.

VVitii esses l:' y

GEO. Jv KERNS,

LYON H. BORDNER. 

